USA > Indiana > Steuben County > Atlas of Steuben Co., Indiana, to which are added various general maps, history, statistics, illustrations > Part 16
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1866
Rush, Jobn F.
Agent F W., J. & S. R. H.
Fairfield Co., Ohio
1855
Shackford, C. A
. Civil Engineer
Esses Co., Mass
1876
Simmons, J. C
27 Farmer.
Huron Co., Ohio.
1803
Threyber, D ....
86 Former.
Belfast Co., Me.
1852
Tuttle, Theodore F
..
Blackmonth
Sandusky Co., Ohio
1858
Van Auken, C. E ...
..
. Surveyor ..
Portage Co., Ohio.
1859
Weaver Brot ..
.4
General Merchants.
Organized in 1878,
Willard, R J ...
Lumber Dealer
Onondaga Co., N. Y
1846
Young, George E
Broker ..
Susses Co., N. J.
1852
SCOTT TOWNSHIP.
Carter, James.
Angola.
20 Farmer and Blacksmith
Portage Co., Obio.
1865
Clingan, Jobn.
28 Farmer
Ricblond Co., Ohio
1849
Cole, Nelson ...
22 Farmer
l'ortage Co., Objo ..... 1857
Dotts, Wm. H
31 Farmer.
Hancook Co., Ohio
1853
Gilbert, T. R
81 Farmer ..
Franklin Co., Ohio ..
1876
Gochenour, Joseph
18 Farmer
Lanenster Co., Penn.
1854
Goddard, R M
..
8 Farmer,
Portage Co., Ohio
1866
Green, Marion.
Fremont
6 Farmer
Suminit Co., Ohio ...
YORK TOWNSHIP.
Ellie, H. D.
York Center ...
7 Farmer.
Montgomery Co., N. Y. 1868
Gundrum, L
Fremont.
12 Farmer and Stook-Raiser.
Berke Co., Penn ....
1849
Ilendley, John
York Center ..
lt Farmer.
Columbiana Co., Ohioy ...
1849
Henry, Jobn ...
Fremoot.
12 Farmer and Stock-Raiser
Crawford Co., Ohio ........ 1846
Headry, George
York Center .....
8 Retired Former.
Eno Co., N. Y ......
1886
Ilix, R. B.
9 Farmer and Stock-Raiser.
New York ...........
1838
HubbeB, S. L
Metz.
21 Farmer and Stock-Rajeer.
Tompkins Co., N. Y.
1849
Kuisely, J. B.
York Center ...
6 Farmer and Stock-Raiser.
Tuecarawas Co., Ohio ..
1852
Matebell, W. R ..
Metz
20 Farmer and Stock-Raiser.
Washington Co , Penn ..
1858
Powers, Myron
.
30 Farmer and Stock-Raiser
Allegany Co., N. Y.
1897
Powers, C. P
29 Farmer and Stock-Raiser.
Allegany Co., N. Y.
1837
Powers, G. R.
29 Farmer and Stook-Raiser.
Steubon Co., Ind.
1842
Hobinson, N. D.
.81 Farmer and Stock-Raiser.
Columbiana Co., Ohio ...
1867
Chard, Mr. Nancy.
26 Former .
Franklin Co., Penn.
18 40
1871 Chard, Thomas ..
Died January 18, 1878.
Hardin Co., Ohio.
Marion Co., Obio. 1832
Cowen, Alice D.
.
16 Farmer
Broome Co., N. Y ..
1836
Bodley, Addison R.
... Physician
Farmer.
Huron Co., Ohio. 1847
l'leri
Fayette Co., Penn.
1852
Hatbaway, H. P.
Beputy Shorit!
Steuben Co., Ind
Chi
1855
Ashland Co., Olio.
Dutohess Co., N. Y
1854
Jurrard, W. H.
Billiard fall
Jarvis, Allen ..
l'laning-Mill
Kinney, John J.
Cashier.
Leas, O. H.
Livery
Leas, E. K.
Physician
Linder, 11
Agent Fi. W., J. & S. R. R
Legg, T. E.
I Fariner.
Orocer.
Oreent Co., Penn.
1850
McKillen, James ...
Barber.
Cooksville, Ontario.
1844
Miller, J. U .....
Miller, George W.
Miller ...
Morrow. John K
Attorney at Law
Osbern, A ....
Cashier ...
Oswego Co., N. Y.
1838
Ntealy, Jaonb
Marble Works.
Marion Co., Ohio. 1836
Sheffor, W K
Bemse-Darmstadt, Germany .
1874
Williams Co., Ohio.
Merry & Shouf.
Merchante
Organized in 1878.
1841
SwiR, D K ...
Steuben Co., Ind.
Washington Co., Penn.
185
1878
STEUBEN TOWNSHIP.
Steuben Co., Ind.
Bawson. B. P
County Treasurer ..
Mahoning Co., Ohio .. 1871
Dew, Charles
Jewelry
Steuben Co., Ind
Dat
Ia Co.
OTSEGO TOWNSHIP.
Keyes, Williom Ii ..
Angola,
Noblo Co., Ohio.
1862
1 Former.
Worcester Co., Mass ..
1843
Cleaveland, George
Died December 20, 1876 ..
Washtenaw Co., Mich
1862
Steuben Co., Ind.
Goodale, O ...
SEC.
Cowen, John ...
1
Mann, James ...
183
BUSINESS DIRECTORY.
ANGOLA.
A. J. CORBIN, County Commissioner. MOSES GONSER, County Commissioner. JOHN McCLUE, County Commissioner. R. H. JOHNSON, County Auditor.
JESSE H. CARPENTER, Ex-County Auditor. SAMUEL BEIGHT, County Treasurer. ORVILLE GOODALE, County Clerk. W. H. TWICHIELL, County Reeorder. W. H. KEYES, County Sheriff. H. P. HATHAWAY, Deputy Sheriff. C. A. SHACKFORD, County Surveyor. CYRUS CLINE, County Superintendent of Schools. FRANCIS MACARTNEY, Conveyancer. Will furnish com- plete ahstracts of title to all real estate in the county. JOHN J. KINNEY. Cashier Kinney & Co.'s Bank. LAWRENCE GATES, Assistant Cashier Kinney & Co.'a Bank
A. OSBORN, Cashier Angola Bank ; also Agent American Express Company.
JOS. A. WOODHULL, Attorney at Law WM. G. CROXTON, Attorney at Law. STEPHEN A. POWERS, Attorney at Law. WM. B. McCONNELL, Attorney at Law. JOHN K. MORROW, Attorney at Low. B. F. DAWSON, Justice of the Peace.
J. U. MILLER, Editor of the Steuben Republican. W. H. SHEFFER, Editor and Proprietor Angola Herald. ORVILLE CARVER, Postmaster, Druggist and Dealer in Books and Stationery.
PETER W. RUSSELL, Proprietor Russell House.
E. R. LEAS, Physician and Surgeon.
T. B. WILLIAMS, Physician and Surgeon. H. D. WOOD, Physician and Surgeon. M. F. CRAIN, Physician and Surgeon.
ADDISON R. BODLEY, Physician and Surgeon. F. VANDERCOOK, Broker. ROBERT V. CARLIN, Teacher.
W. W. UHL & CO., Clothing, Hats, Caps, Boot and Shoe Dealers
JOS. STIEFEL & SON, Leading Dry-Goods and Clothing House of Steuben County ; also Grain Merchants.
F. E. BURT, Watchmaker aud Jeweler. A fine assortment of watches, clocks und jewelry, silverwore, etc., constantly on hand. Repairing fine watches u specialty. Also agent for the celebrated Rockford Quick-Time Watch.
EUGENE CARVER, Desler in Groceries and Provisions.
HENRY HILLINGER, Wagon and Carriage Manufacturer. ALLEN JARVIS, Sow and Planing Mill. G. W. POLAND, Contractor and Builder.
CHARLES BEW, Carriage and Wagon Manufacturer, Black- smithing and Horseshoeing, und all kinds of repairing doue ut reasonable rates.
H. LINDER, Agent Ft. W., J. & S. R. R. E. Z. WILLIAMS, Wagon Manufacturer.
TOOLEY & ZIPFEL, Large Assortment of Boots and Shoes always on hand; also, custom work made to order.
GEORGE W. MILLER, Steam Griat-Mill. L. G. WEISS, Merchant Tailor and Dealer in Foreign and Domestio Cloths.
S. H. MENZENBERGER, Dealer in Groceries and Provis- ions, Confectionery, Tobacco, Cigars and Canned Fruit; also, Fanoy Lunchroom.
NIMOCKS & WICKWIRE, Morhle and Gronite works. JACOB STEALY, Marble Works. Granite furnished to order. HOFF BROS., Photographors and Deslors in Frames, Albums and Storeoscopio Viows.
ADELBERT F. DAY, Printer. M. L. DICKERSON, Clerk.
O. H. LEAS, Livery and Feed Stable.
ORIN SOWLE, Livery and Salo Stahle.
CHARLES BACHELOR, Exchange, Farmer ond Township Trustce.
JAMES MeKILLEN, Barber. MYRON HOARD, Museum. W. H. JARRARD, Billiard Hall.
FREMONT.
E. G. MELENDY, Attorney at Law.
JOHN Y. BEVIER, Proprietor American House and Justice of the Peace.
LYMAN ABBOTT, Physician and Surgeon.
J. L. HAGERTY, Physician and Surgeon
THEODORE B. MeNA BB, Physician and Surgeon.
PHILIP MICHAEL, Heavy and Shelf Hardwaro ; Stoves and Building Material, etc.
J. K. HOWELL, Heavy and Shelf Hardware; also Building Material.
ENOS MICHAEL, Real-Estate and Loan Agent ; also Former. JOSHUA MICHAEL, Dealer in all kinds of Furniture.
J. R. FOX, Undertaker and Furniture Dealer, and Justice of the Peace.
W. WILKINSON, Drugs, Medicines, Painte, Oils, Books, Sta- tionery, Wall-paper, Tobacco, Cigars, Perfumeries and o fine line of Druggiste' Sundries.
FREDERICK PIFER, Wagon and Carriage Maker ; repair- ing done of all kinda.
E. FARNHAM, Proprietor " Exchange Flouring-Mills," and Towu- ship Trustee.
S. S. BBICKER, Dealer in Shelf Groceries, Stationery, Fine Confectionery, Jewelry mud Notiona; Cigars and Tobacco a Specialty.
CHARLES HASTINGS, Livery, Feed and Sale Stahle.
FREMONT TOWNSHIP.
A. M. CASWELL, Blacksmith and Former, Section 16. CHRISTOPHER ALBRIGHT, Carpenter and Farmer, Section 18.
PLEASANT LAKE.
GEORGE E. YOUNG, Broker and Exchange, and Township Trustee.
S. H. FULLER, Physician and Surgeon ; also Coroner.
F. H. CHADWICK, Leading Dry-Goods House in Pleasant Lake, also General Produce Dealer.
MERRY & SHOUF, Lake View House.
WEAVER BROS., Dealers in Pure Drugs, Patent Medicines, Toilet Articles, Paints, Oils, Varnish, Tobacco, Cigars and Coal- Oil Lamps.
R. J. WILLARD, Contraotor and Builder; also Dealer in Lum- her, Lath and Shinglea.
T. E. BIERY, Physician and Surgeon ; Photographer, also Dealer in Frames, Moldings, Photographa, Stereoscopic Views, etc.
P. ROBY, Contractor and Builder; also Dealer in Agricultural Implementa.
H. OBERLIN, Dealer in Drugs, Medicines, Chemicals, Fancy and Toilet Articles, Sponges, Brushes and Perfumery.
JOHN G. CROXTON, White Rose Flooring-Mille.
C. E. VAN AUKEN, Surveyor.
JOHN F. RUSH, Agent Ft. W., J. & S. R. R.
THEODORE F. TUTTLE, Blacksmithing of all kinds done to order.
STEUBEN TOWNSHIP.
J. COLE SIMMONS, Former and Breeder of Fine Grades of Sheep, Section 27.
ORLAND.
W. W. BOICE, Attorney at Law and Collector. GEORGE KEESLAR, Physician and Surgeon.
J. G. PABKER, Dealer in Dry Goods, Hats, Caps, Boots, Shoes, Clothing, Groceries, Notions, etc., etc.
E. A. WILDER, Heavy ond Shelf Hardware, Agricultural Implements ; also Dealer in Live Stock.
FRANK F. BURNIIAM, Burnham Hotel.
J. H. PARKER, Dealer in Groceries, Provisions, Flour, Canned Fruit, Notions, eto., etc.
W. W. THOMSON, Furniture Dealer and Undortaker.
J. FOX & CO., Drugs, Medicines, Paints, Oils, Books end Sta- tionery, Notions, Perfumery and Garden Secds.
L. BISBEE, Livery Stable.
FRANK BLASS, Thomson House.
HAMILTON.
D. N. E. BROWN, Physician and Surgeon. THOMAS RAY MORRISON, Physician and Surgeon.
OTSECO TOWNSHIP.
CLAY LEMMON, Farmer and Township Truateo, Section 20. DAVID K. SWIFT, Township Assessor, Section 10. DANIEL II. DAVIS, Farmer and Proprietor of Saw-Mill, Section 10.
HARMON B. KELLEY, Farmer, Carpenter and Joiner, Section 28.
W. W. WILLIAMS, Farmer. Stock-Raiser and Trader, Sec- tiou 9.
METZ.
T. F. WOOD, Physician and Surgeon.
RICHLAND TOWNSHIP.
F. A. FAST, Farmer, Carpenter and Trustee of Riobland Towu- ship, Scetion 6.
BENJAMIN GASKELL, Farmer and Proprietor of Saw- Mill.
A. B. STEVENS, Farter and Surveyor, Section 29.
HUDSON.
H. RUTH, Physician and Surgeon.
J. CHILSON, Carpenter.
SALEM TOWNSHIP.
W. A. GREENAMYER, Trustee oud Farmer, Section 26. MARTIN V. RANSBURG, Physician and Surgeon, Seo- tion 13.
A. H. TINKLEPAUGH, Farmer and Dealer in Agricultural Implements, Scetion 29.
SCOTT TOWNSHIP.
NELSON HUTCHINS, Farmer and Justice of the Peace, Section 5.
J. II. MOORE, Physician ond Farmer, Soction 17.
JESSE GREENAMYER, Carpenter and Farmer, Section 6.
C. F. WIGGINS, Minister and Farmer, Section 19. P. L. PROUTY, Carpenter and Farmer, Section 22.
CHARLES STAFFORD, Farmer and Insurance Agent, Seo- tion 28.
JAMES CARTER, Farmer and Blackatnith, Section 20.
CLEAR LAKE TOWNSHIP.
L. I. C. YOUNG, Minister, Justice of the Peace and Former, Section 18.
A. BLOOMER, Proprietor of Clear Lake House, Section 17. D. R. TEETERS, Township Trustee and Farmer, Section 29. FURMAN JOHNSON, Cider- Maker, Blocksmith and Farmer, Section 33.
ALVIN PATTERSON, Lawyer and Farmer, Section 17. PETER BICK, Carpenter, Stock-Dealer and Farmer, Section 29.
JACKSON TOWNSHIP.
J. N. OUSTERHOUT, Justice of the Peace, und Farmer, Section 34.
JAMES MANN, Farmer and Trustee of Jackson Township, Sec- tion 14.
GEORGE CLEAVELAND, Blacksmith, Section 22.
YORK TOWNSHIP.
MYRON POWEBS, Township Trustee, Farmer and Stock- Raiser, Section 30.
II. D. ELLIS, Postmastor, York Center P. O., Dealer in Dry Goods, Groceries, etc .; Justice of the Peace; also Farmer, Section 7.
S. L. HUBRELL, Cider and Jelly Maker; also Farmer and Stock- Raiser, Section 21.
JAMESTOWN.
E. P. MCALISTER, Blacksmith sod Wogon-Maker, and Justice of the Peace.
INDIANA.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION AND HISTORY.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION.
GEOGRAPHICAL POSITION.
Indiana, the sixth State admitted into the Union and tho sixth in population, lies between 37° 47' and 419 50' north latitude, and between 7º 45' and 11º 01' longitude west from Washington. It is bounded on the north by Lake Michigan and the State of Miehi- gan, on the east by Ohio, on the south by Kentucky, from which it is separated by the Ohio River, and on the west by Illinois. Its ex- treme length, from north to south, is 276 miles ; average width, 145 miles. Its area is 33,809 square miles, or about 21,637,760 aeres
TOPOGRAPHY.
The surface of the country is generally level or gently undulating, although in the southern part, near the Ohio aud Wabash Rivers, it is quite broken and hilly. 'The highest point in the State is weer the center of Brown County, known as " Weed Patch Knob," about 1,150 feet above the level of the sea. In the central and northern portions, the undulations and slopes are very gradual and slight. The northwestern part consists chiefly of prairie. Tho northern por- tion is interspersed with many small lakes.
Among the interesting natural features of the Stato are the Falls of Eel River, in Owen County; Lost River, in Orange County, a stream fifty feet wide, which sinks many feet under the surface of the earth and rises at a distance of about eleven miles, and Wyandot Cave, in Crawford County, five miles from Leavenworth. This enve, near Blue River, 400 feet above the water, consists of old and new enves, the former being known as Epsom Salts Cave. So far os ex plored, it is 22 miles long, 300 feet at its greatest width and 246 feet at its greatest height.
RIVERS.
The general slope of the water-shed is to the southwest. The extreme northern portion of the State is drained through the Upper St. Joseph and inany smaller streams into Lake Michigan. Fartber south comes the system of the Kankakee, which, rising in St Joseph County, flows through Mud and English Lakes, westward into the Illinois. The confluence of the St. Joseph's with the St. Mary's at Fort Wayne, forms the Maumee, which, flowing into Lake Erie, drains the northeastern portion of the State. The Wabash, which flows through the State and alony its sontbwestern boundary, a dis- tunce of over 450 miles, with its many tributaries, furnishes channels for draining about three-fourths of the State.
The Ohio, which forms its southern boundary, drains the extreme southern portion.
Indiana has a shore line of forty- five miles along Lake Michigan.
SOIL AND CLIMATE.
As an agricultural State, Indiana ranks among the first. In the southern portion, the soil varies according to the underlying rocks, from whose decomposition it is mainly derived. In the northern two-thirds of the State, the soil consists of the more or less sandy materials of the drift deposits, and is inexhaustible in its producing power -- an incalculable mine of wealth to the formuer. It is esti- mated the prairie region embraced one-sixth of the State. Corn and wheat are the staple products. Considerable hay is raised in the north purt and tobacco in the south part, but all the products of the Middle States can be grown to advantage. Indiana is noted for her berds of eboice stock, especially for her fine hogs and the superiority of ber horses. Originally oue immense forest, considerable quanti-
ties of fine timber still remain. It is estimated by the National Department of Agriculture that the proportion of forest aren, ut the, present time, is about forty per ecnt.
Prominent among the varieties prevailing throughout the State are the onk, poplar, black walnut, hickory, ash, basswood, beech and maple.
The climate is that of the North Tempemte Zone. The average difference iu temperature between the northern and southern parts of the State is almost 5º Fahrenheit. Tho yearly rainfall through the northern aud central portions is about forty inches-ulong the Ohio River forty-eight inches.
MINERALS.
No natural deposits of gold or silver nre known to exist. Iron ore appears in many localities. Potter's clay is found in great abun- dance, some firo clay, and considerable quantities of " kaolin," a fine, white, porcelain elay, to which Prof. Cox, " State Geologist," has given the name of " Indianaite." It is said to be as pure as the best, and promises a grand enlargement of home industries. Salt, as con- tained in the waters of minerad springs, is frequently met with, Fino building stones are abundant, but the most valuable miucral is coal. About 6,500 square miles of Indiana, or one-fifth of its surface, is ineluded in the great western caal field, and furnishes the highly- prized block coal and common coking coal. The block coal scain averages three to four feet in thickness. The eoal field of Indiana is wedge-shaped, commencing at a point in Warren County, from whenee it runs, gradually widening, until it strikes the Ohio River in Crawford County.
HISTORY.
Indiana was originally a part of Florida, which became a Spanish Colony in 1543. Northern Indiana was included in the territory gmnted, in 1620, to the Plymouth Company by King James, and was, therefore, elaimed by Great Britain. In 1673, the Mississippi River was discovered by Marquette and Joliet. In the same year, they ascended the Illinois River, discovering that portion of' Indiana bordering on the Kankakee, aud in 1679, Robert Chevalier de LaSalle made further discoveries, he deseending the Kankakee to its moutlı. Indiana, at this time, was inhabited by the Miami Confederacy of Indians.
The earliest settlement made within the territory now embraced in Indiana was a Freuch trading-post established in 1702, at Vin- cennes, by Sieur Juchereau and Memuet, a missionary. It became a part of the French calony of Louisiana, and so remained until 1763, when it was ceded to Englund. In 1778, Col, George Rogers Clarke, with four companies of' Virgininns, captured Kaskaskin and Cahokin, nud took possession of Post Vincennes. In December, the samue year, the British regained possession of Vincennes, but Col. Clarke recaptured it in February, 1779. In October, 1778, an act was passed by the Virginia Legislature, establishing the County of Illinois, which embraced all of Virgiuju northwest of the Ohio. In 1784, it was eeded, by Virginia, to the United States, and in 1787, Congress passed an ordinance for the government ol' all the territory northwest of the Ohio River, Arthur St. Clair being appointed Governor. In I788, an Indian war broke out which caused great distress at Vin- cennes. In 1790, Gen. Harmar was defeated near what is now Eel River Post Office, in Allen County, by the Indian Confederacy, under their Miami Chief, " Little 'Turtle." In 1791, Gen. Charles Seott, of
Kentucky, destroyed the Wea villages on the Wabash, about eight miles bolow tho present city of Lafayotte, and in the same year, Gen. Wilkinson cumne, with a small army, to the neighborhood of Logans- port, but the main expedition, under Gov. St. Clair, in November, 1791, was utterly defeated near the present site of Fort Wayne, by the same famous warrior, " Little Turtle." Oen. Wayne, after his victory over the Indians on the Maumee River in 1794, moved to the confinenec of the St. Mary's and St. Joseph's, and erected Fort Wayne. Iu I790, the Northwestern Territory pussed to the second graile of territorial government and sent a Delegate to Congress In 1800, Ohio was orected into a separato Territory, wbile the country north aud west was included in the new government of Indiana Territory. Gen. William Henry Harrison was appointed first Oovernor The population at this time was about 4,875. In 1805, Michigan was divided off, and the first Territorial Legislature of Indiana convened at Vincennes, July 29, the same year. In 1809, the Territory of Illinois was set off, leaving Indiana with its present bounduries, In 1810, new troubles arose with the Indians, which, finally, led to the campaign of 1811, ending in the battle of Tippecanoe, in which Gen. Harrison defeated the Indians under Tecumseh's brother, the Prophet. The war of' 1812 brought on n new Indian war. The slaughter of the Pigeon Roost Settlement-a settlement located within the present limits of Scott County-termed the Pigcon Roost masssere, threw the south part of Indianu in alarmu ; but the energetic meusures taken suppressed any more extensive outbreaks. On December 11, 1816, Indiana was admitted as a State into the Union. The capital of the State was first loeuted at Corydon. In 1825, it was removed to its present site, Indianapolis. This is the chief city in the State, highly prosperous, and the largest inland city in the United States.
In the late war, Indiana was a staunch supporter of the Union cause and furnished 200,000 men.
The Erie Canal, connecting Lake Erie with the Ohio River, and, thus, the group ,il' great lakes with the Gulf of Mexico, was com. pleted in 1835 ; but as the railroad system has become doveloped it bas gone ont of use. The National Road was completed to Indian- npolis in 1838.
The first ruilrond was built in 1846, between Madison and Indian- npolis. Over 4,000 miles of railroad lines are now in successful operation. The number and character of the splendid edifices which havo been erected for court houses, humano institutions, seminaries of learning and churches, and tho other public works which adorn the State, bespeak ut once tho enterprise, intelligence and moral worth of the people. A school fund, amounting to nearly nine millions of dollars-larger by two millions than that of any other Stato in the United States-is devoted to the interests of public instruction.
The exhibition and interest of Indiana in the Centennial was second to none, and the honor of first making the suggestion of a Centennial Exhibition bebings to one of her citizens.
The growth of Indiana has been wonderfully rapid. Commene- ing with a population, in 1800, of 2,517, it bad increased, in 1810, to 24,520,; in 1820, to I47,178; in 1830, to 343,031 ; in 1840, to 685,866, in 1850, to 988,416; in 1860, to 1,350,428, and in 1870, to 1,680,637.
Notwithstanding the enuntless obstacles the early sottlers had to contend with in this uubroken, trackless forest, they proved thetu- selves equal to the task, and the Indiana of to-day is the result of their industry aud energy.
EXPLANATION OF GOVERNMENT SURVEYS.
GOVERNMENT SURVEYS.
The rectangular system of surveying government lands, terined the " Land System of the United States," was adopted by an act of Congress May 7, 1785. This act made provision for the surveying and disposing of the public domain, as well as for donation for edu- cational and for military purposes.
PRINCIPAL MERIDIAN LINES AND BASE LINES.
Under this system, initial or starting points aro designated where certain so-called Principal Meridian Lines, running due north and south, aro crossed by other lines termed Base Lines, running due enst and west. These " Principal Meridian " and " Base Lines " may be established where deemed most convenient or necessary. There are at present ubout twenty-five principal meridians and nearly as many base lines established, governing the surveys in the several States and Territories.
CONGRESSIONAL TOWNSHIPS.
These lines being duly established, the territory is divided into distriets six miles square, each containing 23,040 aeres, called Con- gressional Townships, designated by " 'Townships " and " Ranges."
TOWNSHIPS.
Lines running east and west, six miles apart, parallel to the base
line, are termed " Township Lines," and the spaces between them, " Townships."
RANGES.
Lines running north and sonth, six iniles apart, parallel to the principal meridian, are termed " Range Lines," and the intervening space ranges.
Townships are designated as North or South, and numbered according to the position they occupy north or south of the base line ; thus, T. 1 N. indicates the space between the base lino and first township line north , 'T. 3 8. indicates the space between the second and third township lines south of the base line, and so on.
Ranges ure designated as East or West, and numbered according to the position they occupy cast or west of tho principal meridian ; thus, T. 3 N., R. 1 W. denotes the " Congressional township," so described, is situated in tho third towuship north of tho base line and in the first range west of the principal meridian line.
SECTIONS.
Congressional townships are subdivided iuto thirty-six traets, one mile square, called Sections, which number from east to west and west to east alternately, commencing with number 1 in the northeast corner and coneluding with number 36 in the southeast corner of the
township. Each regular section contains 640 acres. Fraetional townships are occasioned hy inaccurate surveys. Fractional sections are due to the same enuse, und are found on the north and west of each township.
Correction and standard lines running east and west are estab- lished at distances of about thirty mdes apurt, for the purpose of pre- venting such errors as would naturally be occasioned by the curvature of the earth.
For subdivisions of seetions, see diagram on previous page.
SURVEYS IN INDIANA.
With the exceptions of the early French surveys in Knox County and vicinity and Clarke's military survey in Clarke and adjoining Counties, the State of Indiana was surveyed under the government system. The government surveys were nearly all made from the seeand principal moridian, which runs due north through Crawford, Orange, etc., Counties, und from a hase line running due enst and west, which crosses the sceond principal meridian in Orange County, about twenty-four miles north of the Ohio River. Tho balance of the State, being the southeasteru portion, was surveyed from the first principal incridiau, which runs due north from the mouth of the Miami River, formning the eastern boundary of tho State, and a base line fifteen miles north of the base line before described.
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